The 2012 Honda Civic

Automobile

“Consistency is again the name of the game” for Honda’s ever-popular compact. The ninth-generation Civic still delivers on the nameplate’s core values—offering “the composure of a bigger car, but the ease of use of a small one.” Available, as usual, in various iterations of coupe or sedan, it adds one significant wrinkle to its repertoire this time, with a high-fuel-economy model (the HF) that’s rated at 41 mpg. We’re just disappointed in the “pedestrian” new interior.

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That’s not the car’s only shortcoming. Because power delivery is “creamy smooth” and ride quality might still be best in class, the Civic “still feels like a quality machine”—when you’re not eyeing its “letdown” interior. But the car’s brakes are weak, “and wind noise remains an annoyance.” If you’ve driven some of the other new compacts, you’ll have to admit: “Honda doesn’t own this class anymore.”

Road & Track

On the plus side, meaningful improvements include a stiffer chassis and a more fuel-efficient 140-hp engine for all standard models. We were particularly enamored of the more powerful six-speed Si coupe, which sports a “leaner and angrier” exterior than before. It’s also simply “a hoot to drive.”